www.theasianstar.com Vol 19 - Issue 44
Saturday, December 5, 2020
15-year-old Indian-American named first-ever TIME Magazine’s ‘Kid of the Year’ 15-year-old Indian-American Gitanjali Rao, a “brilliant” young scientist and inventor, has been named by TIME magazine as the first-ever ‘Kid of the Year’ for her “astonishing work” using technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated
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India says Canadian PM is “Ill-informed” on Farmers’ protest India on Tuesday strongly reacted to comments by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other leaders there on protests by farmers, calling the remarks as “ill-informed” and “unwarranted” as the matter pertained to the internal affairs of a democratic country. “We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. In a terse message, the ministry further added that “it is also best that diplomatic conversations
are not misrepresented for political purposes.” On Monday, Trudeau, backing the agitating farmers in India, said Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests. “The situation is concerning and we are all very worried about family and friends and I know that is a reality for many of you. Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the right of peaceful protest,” he said speaking at an online event on Monday to mark the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Canada has a significant number of Indians and most of them are from Punjab. Continued on page 10
Another person of Indian origin to hold powerful post in Biden administration
drinking water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying. “The world belongs to those who shape it. And however uncertain that world may feel at a given moment, the reassuring reality seems to be that each new generation produces more of what these kids…have already achieved: positive impact, in all sizes,” Time said. Rao was selected from a field of more than 5,000 nominees as TIME’s first-ever Kid of the Year. She was interviewed by actor and activist Angelina Jolie for the TIME special. Continued on page 8
Neera Tanden shares struggle of her mother in realising American dream Indian-American Neera Tanden, who has raised in a suburb of Boston — a middlebeen nominated as the Director class kid. But when I was five, of the Office of Management my parents got divorced and my and Budget by President-elect mom was left on her own with two Joe Biden, on Tuesday shared children — and without a job,” said the inspiring story of her mother Tanden, who was born in Bedford, who immigrated to the US from Massachusetts to immigrant India. “Like the Vice Presidentparents from India. After her elect’s (Kamala Harris) mother, parents divorced, Tanden’s mother Shyamala, my mother, Maya, was on welfare for nearly two was born in India. Like so many years before obtaining a job as a millions, across every generation, travel agent. “She faced a choice: she came to America to pursue a return to India, where at the time divorce better life,” said Tanden at the Biden Transition was stigmatized and opportunity would be headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. “I was limited, or keep
Active cases close to 10,000 and Covid-19 deaths near 500 in BC 19 vaccine will be available in B.C. in the coming weeks, said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Thursday – as active cases move close to 10,000 and deaths near 500. Henry said Operation Immunize had been launched and the order of vaccine distribution was being determined. There were 694 cases of COVID-19 reported between noon Wednesday and noon Thursday, and 12 deaths. Henry said there were 9,103 active cases of the disease in B.C., of which 325 were in hospital and 80 in intensive care. The death tally is now 481. Health Minister Adrian said that with 10,849 people in isolation after being exposed to the disease, and record numbers in hospital, healthcare workers were being tapped. He said overall hospital bed capacity was at 80 per cent, and this time last year was over 100 per cent. However, many long-term care workers had become COVID sick, putting pressure on staffing. There were 694 cases of COVID-19 reported between noon Wednesday and noon Thursday, Continued on page 7
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Federal Liberals to spend $100B to jolt post-pandemic economy after posting record $381B deficit The Liberal government is preparing to spend up to $100 billion to kick start the post-pandemic economy as it stares down a recordhigh deficit projection of more than $381 billion for this fiscal year. In a long-awaited economic statement, tabled today, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government’s immediate priority is to do “whatever it takes” to help Canadians and businesses stay safe and solvent. The short-term stimulus package is valued at $70 billion to $100 billion over roughly three years. The government says the stimulus spending — intended to build a greener, more inclusive, more innovative and competitive economy — will launch after a vaccine is distributed and life begins to return to normal. “When the virus is under control and our economy is ready for new growth, we will deploy an ambitious stimulus package to jumpstart our recovery,” Freeland said in a statement read in the House of Commons today. Continued on page 13